Bahraini boy killed in protest

Opposition group blames police after 14-year-old boy dies on being hit by tear gas canister in oil hub.

31 Aug 2011 14:37 GMT

A 14-year-old Bahraini boy has died after being hit by a tear gas canister during clashes between anti-government protesters and security forces, the Gulf kingdom's main Shia opposition group al-Wefaq has said.

Activists blamed the police for the death of Ali Jawad Ahmad, who was among the protesters in the oil hub area of Sitra on Wednesday.

A police official told the state news agency BNA that the incident was being investigated, without saying how the boy was injured.

Bahrain has been in turmoil for the past few months since protests by the dominant Shia community broke out, demanding great freedom and political rights.

More than 30 people have been killed since the protests began in February inspired by other uprisings across the Arab world.